**Fight Night: Round 3 - Impressions...**

SoMisss2000 · Post by **SoMisss2000** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:17 am

I agree Spooky. I'm not a huge boxing fan. I skipped last year's game so Round 3 is a huge step over the one I bought 2 years ago. I see a few negative posts at OS about the game play. I'm wondering if that's because that game doesn't seem as easy as previous versions. I'm playing on Medium and have not won not one fight. Well, i did create a guy and beat some glass joe guy in career mode. However, I fought as Frazier vs Ali. I put Ali down with a vicious body shot, he then proceeded to kick my a**. He'd hit me 10 times before I got one punch off. Ali is QUICK!! I then fought Hagler as Leonard before bed and had a pretty good 1st round but Hagler went on to batter me until the 5th when he knocked me out.

It seems fighting styles is the key. The fact that i'm losing now is kinda exciting as I know there is plenty of room for improvement.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:41 am

SoMisss2000 wrote:
ScoopBrady wrote:I'll be picking it up tomorrow. I'm just waiting for the Frys ad so I can price match and save myself 12 bucks. Any impressions yet db?
best buy had it today. i price matched with the fry's ad.

Cool, I'll drop by Best Buy on my way home tonight. We only have one Frys around here and the ads only come out on Wednesday and Friday. I already grabbed todays ad and will price match later. I can't wait to get my hands on this one. I enjoyed the demo immensely even though it was on easy.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:21 am

I left it on the default and created myself. I think I'm 9-0 professional after a 4 or 5-0 amateur career. Just won the Under Armour fight or whatever, I'm not sure.

I left it on medium, and from what I see there, I can see what IGN is saying. It wasn't until recently that a CPU fighter even put up a fight. Most of them were just standing there letting me pummel them, but the last guy cut me. He was actually countering some and laying some good shots on me, but he still got KO'd in the 3rd. He'd leave himself so open going for the big shot that he kept getting peppered.

I dunno, it's getting tougher every bout so we'll see how it goes. Either way I'm still thoroughly enjoying it.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:29 am

TCrouch wrote:I left it on the default and created myself. I think I'm 9-0 professional after a 4 or 5-0 amateur career. Just won the Under Armour fight or whatever, I'm not sure.

I left it on medium, and from what I see there, I can see what IGN is saying. It wasn't until recently that a CPU fighter even put up a fight. Most of them were just standing there letting me pummel them, but the last guy cut me. He was actually countering some and laying some good shots on me, but he still got KO'd in the 3rd. He'd leave himself so open going for the big shot that he kept getting peppered.

I dunno, it's getting tougher every bout so we'll see how it goes. Either way I'm still thoroughly enjoying it.

I think the key here is that Career mode on defualt difficulty is still a bit too easy (at least in the eary stages) but it appears that any other mode on the default (Play Now or ESPN Classics) is challenging. That seems to be the impression I am getting from my play time and other reviews/posts. I like that the career mode is kind of easy on the early fights. If it just started out very challenging, then what do you have to work towards? If you think about it, isn't that kind of how boxing is for a young, great fighter. They tend to pummel the competition until they reach the higher ranks. How many great fighters do you see with records like 18-16-7? No, when they make it to the big fights their records are usually like 20-2-1. Leaves a lot more on the line in those later, big money fights.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:36 am

That's a great point!

I played 3 classic bouts last night, however, and had knockouts by round 4 at the latest. Hagler over Leonard, Ali over Frazier, and Gatti over whoever the hell he fights. I don't notice a staggering difficulty difference, but I do notice the fighters obviously have "their" ratings. In career mode, if you scout them, you'll see they're tailored to your ability (and under actually).

I destroyed Holyfield, Frazier, Patterson, and somebody else already in my career. But scouting Frazier, his power was a 50?

Their ratings drop a lot in career mode to avoid you getting pummeled.

I think they did a lot right in the game, especially taking into consideration your take on it. It makes sense that I'd obliterate the early lollipops to climb the rankings and get a shot at a title.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:15 pm

The career mode in EA's boxing games, even dating back to the Knockout Kings franchise, have always been easy going at first. I guess they have to when you think about it. I mean how many boxers with a record of
16-16 get title shots? It can get boring building up your boxer with little to no challenge from opponents but there really is no other way accurately portray a boxers career. The only thing they can really do is start you out in the higher tier and make it challenging but that would eliminate a good portion of the career mode. It would be a nice option to start a career with the assumption that you've already pummelled your way through the scrubs though.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:41 pm

FWIW, the PSP version is getting rave reviews from those who played it thus far. Definitely will have to rent the PSP version when it becomes available.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:13 pm

almost bought it today...but i think i'll just rent it...and wait for mlb 2k6 for the 360

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:36 pm

Sudz wrote:almost bought it today...but i think i'll just rent it...and wait for mlb 2k6 for the 360

That's a long time to wait, but there are other great non-sports games due out before April.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 3:09 pm

i just think that baseball will give me more replay time that fight night...i'll rent all the non-sporters....

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 12:00 am

Thumbs up here on a solid boxing title, that despite not being perfect continues it's consistent, substantial year-over-year improvement...

That said, I agree with Spooky on the interface thing, especially in terms of PROFILE management. It's just stupid the way it's laid out.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:24 am

Had the AI with its first big comeback of the game, and it was a joy. After obliterating some sap for 2 rounds, knocking him down twice, he suddenly shifted his entire strategy in the third. He came at me slugging away at the midsection, then when I'd drop my guard he'd wallop me with uppercuts and hooks. It was actually a very satisfyingly frustrating time, as I got knocked down 4 times in the next two rounds and finally got KO'd in the 4th round.

I've since shifted my own style to guard the body more on the bob and weaves, so it's kind of cool that the AI can beat you badly enough on occasion to make you rethink your strategy.

I'm sitting at something like 21-1 in my professional career now, about to fight for the EA Sports Belt or whatever it is. I have no idea how many tiers there are, anybody know? I'm at the top of the "Big Name" Tier now, and did all the Dodge/Burger King/ESPN Wednesday Night Fights/ESPN Friday Night Fights stuff. How much longer does this go, I wonder? I know my fights are only 10 rounds currently, and I haven't hit a PPV event yet, so it must be at least another tier or two...?

I did have a fight with a $1,000,000 payout already though, so that was kind of cool.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:41 am

The thing with EA is that for every great feature that they may add, they also tend to counterproduce as they miss key things on every game they release. The 360 version is great, gameplay is as good as ever but in the career mode why would they take the rankings away from 02? Create-a-Boxer is basically unchanged from last year. The only addition they had were the styles and there aren't even a lot of them.

I wished EA could add to the rosters with the likes of Vargas, Brewster, Klitschkos, Mosley, etc. It's a must own for boxing aficionados but if EA had a competition in this genre it could have been so much more complete.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:52 am

Well, I picked this one up yesterday and color me impressed. The first thing that jumps out at you is obviously the visuals. This game is simplly gorgeous. The game seems to play much smoother than the demo did and the controls have definitely been tweaked. I didn't get a chance to do too much but I did create Scoop "Diesel" Brady and beat my first opponent. Then I checked out the ESPN Classic mode and played a bout as Lamotta against Robinson. I loved how it was in black and white but having Jake come out to hip hop music was ridiculous.

The only thing that I don't like so far is the fact that Chicago was not a birthplace I could select for Scoop "Diesel" Brady. I was completely shocked when Chicago wasn't listed. I mean the first friggin fight I had was at the Windy City Gym.

Another little cool thing for me is the fact that they have the Aragon Ballroom (or Brawlroom as I call it) as one of the fighting locations. I've been to the Brawlroom to see many a concert over the years and it was very cool to be able to fight there in a videogame.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:56 am

ScoopBrady wrote:
Another little cool thing for me is the fact that they have the Aragon Ballroom (or Brawlroom as I call it) as one of the fighting locations. I've been to the Brawlroom to see many a concert over the years and it was very cool to be able to fight there in a videogame.

Agreed! Especially since the last show I saw there was The Rolling Stones! Can't beat seeing The Stones at the Brawlroom. And now to think I can box there any time I want.

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 12:17 pm

10spro wrote:I wished EA could add to the rosters with the likes of Vargas, Brewster, Klitschkos, Mosley, etc. It's a must own for boxing aficionados but if EA had a competition in this genre it could have been so much more complete.

This ain't NBA Jam, I'm pretty sure that each boxer has to be negotiated with to appear in the game, basically meaning that it may not be up to EA whether they can put them in. Anybody know for sure?

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 12:57 pm

Well, I picked up the game after work. I had been anticipating this game for a while, especially after playing the demo for over a month. All in all, the game has not disappointed. I have yet to check out career mode, just playing a few "Play Now" matches.

I'm finding the difficulty level on medium to be just right. I had an offline fight between De La Hoya (A.I.), and another guy who's name escapes me now. In any case, De La Hoya didn't just stand in one place. He constantly fronted me and backed off when he was tagged with a combo of punches. The fight went 9 rounds, and I was finally KO'd after wearing myself out throwing too many punches. IMO, they got the stamina just right. It's cool to see how the boxers gloves fall when they're exhausted, and thus they're less able to defend combos.

Took the game online and the first match I played was against a random. He waited for me to look at the different boxers, and then he quickly chose Ali. I in turn chose Frazier. After playing with middle and welter weights, what a difference in the heavy weights. The overall speed of the punches and movement seem a lot slower. It was difficult adjusting, and I was clocked in the third round for good.

The next guy I played must have come from the school of Street Fighter. He used no defense, and I was able to exploit his weakness pretty good. We used light weights (Corrales vs. Barrera). It was a lot more enjoyable, not only because I was in control but the flow felt better.

Last fight was against Web. Holyfield (Web) against Toney (me). I expended too much energy in the fight, and Web was a bit more strategic. KO in the fourth I believe. Then again, I think Holyfield is far and way a better fighter in the game than Toney. Web, sorry for disconnecting so fast after the fight. I looked up at the clock and didn't realize it was so late. I had been playing for over two hours on and offline. We'll have to play again soon. I want a rematch!

This game definitely has a lot of replay value in the multiplayer department. I know I'm looking forward to playing online again as well as going at it with the few friends I have who enjoy video games. Time will tell if the offline is as entertaining. I don't think this game will be one I play all the time, but will definitely be a nice diversion to much of the same ol' same ol' games I have played in the past. There's definitely a spot for it in my collection.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:33 pm

I absolutely LOVE the ebb & flow to online matches.

I fought several matches one after another against a friend of mine, and each one was vastly different. The first match I absolutely shredded his De La Hoya with Hagler, a KO in the third. I was in control throughout, pummeling him from start to finish and never really being challenged.

The second fight, however, was a completely different story. I was cocky and arrogant, going immediately in for the kill at the opening bell, figuring I'd pound him with a flurry of shots (I was Ali against his Holyfield) and all it took was one HUGE shot from Holyfield to put me in the "KO Zone" about 20 seconds into the fight. I got Ali cut, damaged, and hurt all within the span of about 45 seconds. I spent the next 4 or 5 rounds resting, dancing and doing the stick-and-move jab-straight 1-2 combo on him, making him chase me around the ring. In the end I wore Holyfield down and cut him pretty badly. He kept having to mess with cuts and couldn't get to swelling, but I never even got Holyfield to "the zone". That dude is a piece of iron, I could never knock him down or really challenge to KO him, so I had to "point him" to death, and eventually got the fight stopped on cuts in the 6th.

The last fight that we had was one for the ages. Erik Morales (me) vs Manny Pacquiao (him, sp?). This sucker was one of the best fights I've ever had online in any game. Feathers are SOOOOO quick, I would tag him with 4 or 5 punches while he was flailing wildly (I love how their punches are way off if they get tagged mid-swing), and he'd retreat quickly. I'd get aggressive, and charge in....and get met with 4 or 5 of HIS punches while I just tried to recover. Back and forth, Manny got absolutely disfigured (his left eye was so swollen that he couldn't see and I just kept working that side of his face). He started using a "lean back and block low" strategy that took me a while to get through. All in all, this badass fight went all the way to the 10th online, when he knew he was down on points and had to do something. I got the KO in the 10th on the 1st knockdown of the fight.

This thing has the potential to be a really really long lasting XBL game...I mean, how can beating the sh*t out of somebody ever get old?!?!?

TheTruth · Post by **TheTruth** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:53 pm

You guys are wearing me down. I was hoping to last 2 weeks after the release date to see how everyone still liked the game, but these online stories are chipping away. I guess I should sell DOA4 and pick up FN.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:55 pm

TCrouch wrote:
This thing has the potential to be a really really long lasting XBL game...I mean, how can beating the sh*t out of somebody ever get old?!?!?

The human VS. human aspect of this series has always been its strong point IMO. AI is such a touchy and difficult beast in most all sports games (and IMO especially boxing). It has just got to be so hard to get AI to respond realistically and like a human with the sport of boxing.

I never grew tired of playing Round 2 against my co-workers at EB when the store was slow. We would have the most intense battles I have ever had in any game ever. I would literally be shaking after some of the matches. It actually became stresful and my head would hurt (all in a fun, good way of course

). I have had a lot of similar battles online too. Having to adjust styles on the fly is key and while you may pummel 4 randoms online in a row and think you have a great winning strategy, someone will inevitably come along and make you TOTALLY rethink it and have to regroup and re-strategize. ((just like Terry was explaining with his AI career experience))

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:14 pm

You bastards!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:22 pm

Leebo33 wrote:You bastards!

You mean you haven't saved for Ghost Recon AW yet?

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:48 pm

I picked it up (360 version) but need to get through the work day!

Quick question, how many licensed fighters are in the game?

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:06 pm

I played for a few hours last night and loved it. In the early fights, the AI was good for about 2 rounds then they'd collaspe. Had one dude lay a big hit on me in the first round that put me into 'ko mode' for a few secs. Gotta keep those hands-up, even on the lame ducks.

only gripe is no new training games, but i guess i could always 'auto-train' to avoid them...

Lastly: CUSTOM ring intro songs anybody?? oh yeah, ea trax....

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:13 pm

sportdan30 wrote: Last fight was against Web. Holyfield (Web) against Toney (me). I expended too much energy in the fight, and Web was a bit more strategic. KO in the fourth I believe. Then again, I think Holyfield is far and way a better fighter in the game than Toney. Web, sorry for disconnecting so fast after the fight. I looked up at the clock and didn't realize it was so late. I had been playing for over two hours on and offline. We'll have to play again soon. I want a rematch!

No problem with the bail, Dan. I actually thought it was the wacky EA interface that disconnected us so quickly. And as I explained to you last night, I'm quite familiar with having to ditch online games quickly.

I enjoyed the fight we had and did want to try out the lightweights, too. Next time!

The game was pretty much lag-free, which I thought was impressive.